I'm flying to Seattle Friday, arriving just in time to get myself to the amazing Paramount Theater to see a legendary band, the Sonics!

The Sonics were a Tacoma, WA garage rock band that hit the scene with early punk rock, the likes of which hadn't been heard before. The Pacific Northwest didn't know what the hell had hit it. Despite heavily influencing similar bands like The Kingsmen (Louie, Louie), they never really broke out, and as a result remained largely unmolested until they disbanded in the early 70s.

The Sonics have been called "the first punk band", and have been cited as influences by bands like The Cramps, The Hives, Eagles of Death Metal, and Nirvana. They produced some downright frightening (for their day) originals, as well as insane covers of some mainstream stuff that was out at the time. This band was so out there... I can't imagine what they were thinking.

The band reunited a couple of years ago to play a show in New York, and I think they might have played overseas somewhere as well. This show, however, is going to blow up. First of all, it's on Halloween. Second, it's their first hometown show since 1972. I'm thrilled and honored that I'm going to see these living legends, one of punk's most important bands, as they triumphantly return to the place where they were born. I'm working on getting a photo pass, and hopefully I'll be able to review them for Ground Control.